The Browns have put together a 3-1 start and sit atop the AFC North through four weeks of the 2026 NFL season, but that hasn’t erased the need for help up front. With Mason Graham injured, Jared Verse still working to find his footing and the rest of the defensive line carrying plenty of long-term uncertainty, Cleveland has reason to explore the trade market for another difference-maker on the interior and edge.
One name that fits the bill is Kayvon Thibodeaux. The former fifth-overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has not quite become the player the Giants expected, even if he remains a useful piece.
Thibodeaux broke out in 2023 with a career-high 11.5 sacks, but he has managed just eight sacks over the last three seasons combined. New York also added Abdul Carter with the No. 3 overall pick last offseason, and with the Giants still chasing wins while continuing their youth movement, Thibodeaux could be the odd man out.
The trade math could make sense for Cleveland, too. The Browns got a fifth- and sixth-round pick back when they moved Za'Darius Smith in 2024, while the Steelers recently got a sixth- and second-round pick for Joey Porter Jr.
Based on that kind of market, a 2027 third-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick from the Browns might be enough to get Thibodeaux. Cleveland has three 2027 fourth-round picks right now, which gives them room to make that kind of offer.
The only real wrinkle is New York’s lack of starting depth at the position with Brian Burns out for the season, so the Browns may need to sweeten the package or include one of Sam Williams or Derek Barnett.
Another name to watch is Daron Payne. The 2018 first-rounder has been one of the league’s steadiest defensive tackles, piling up 440 tackles, 37 sacks, 65 tackles for a loss, 84 quarterback hits and seven forced fumbles over the last nine seasons. He has built a reputation as a disruptive force in the backfield, and at 29, he would bring immediate impact.
Washington’s 1-3 start has the Commanders headed toward changes as they look to retool at the deadline and into the offseason, and Payne could be on the move. He is an unrestricted free agent in 2027, and a new team could also give him the long-term extension he’s likely seeking.
For Cleveland, he would be a natural fit next to Mason Graham if the rookie’s injury proves short-term, and he could also take over as the No. 1 tackle if needed. Payne has also been durable, missing only three games over the last nine years.
If the Browns are serious about loading up for a playoff push, they should be willing to pay up. A package built around a 2027 fourth-rounder and a 2028 second-rounder could be enough to get Washington’s attention, and with the trade deadline approaching, Cleveland should be ready to act if Payne becomes available.
In Other News...
Browns Defense Suddenly Has A New Problem Ahead Of Jets Game
The Browns defense got a fresh dose of uncertainty this week when the teams Week 5 injury report landed ahead of Sundays matchup with the Jets. Defensive tackle Mason Graham is dealing with an MCL and ankle sprain, while defensive end Derek Barnett is also on the report with an ankle injury, giving Clevelands front another reason to monitor practice closely as the week unfolds.
Safety Grant Delpit was limited because of a shoulder issue, adding to the sense that this unit may not be at full strength when it needs to be. Dillon Gabriel has been cleared to return but is still waiting on a roster spot, while wide receiver Tylan Wallace sat out practice with a knee injury, leaving a few moving parts for Cleveland to sort through before game day. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Could Be Eyeing A Week 5 Opponent For Defensive Line Help
The Browns have been working through a familiar front-line question all season, and the possibility of adding help at defensive tackle has now turned toward a Week 5 opponent. One name that fits the profile is Jets veteran Harrison Phillips, a sturdy run-stopper whose value would be tied to improving a defense that wants more resistance up front without forcing a long-term commitment.
Phillips also comes with a contract situation that makes him easier to imagine in trade discussions as the calendar moves toward the 2026 deadline, especially if New York slips and decides to move veterans for future assets. For Cleveland, the appeal is straightforward: a short-term fix for the defensive line now, while still leaving room to spend a draft pick on a more permanent answer later. [Read more 🡒]
Former Bears QB Turned A Terrifying Health Scare Into A New Mission
Connor Shaws life changed in an instant during a youth flag football game in September 2025, when the former NFL quarterback and ex-Bears signal-caller suffered sudden cardiac arrest while coaching his son. He was saved by quick CPR from bystanders and medics using an automated external defibrillator, then later had a heart monitoring device implanted as he continued to recover from the scare.
Now Shaw is turning that frightening experience into a broader push for preparedness through HRTHUDL, the nonprofit he founded to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest, teach CPR and help get AEDs into communities in South Carolina. For anyone around football, especially youth sports, it is the kind of reminder that the most important play can happen long before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]